Check-head for planters



P. H. BAXTER.

CHECK HEAD FOR PLANTEHS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1917. RENEWED DEC. 3, 1920.

Patented Sept. 13, 1921.

WITNESSES ATTORNEY posed transversely of the UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP H. BAXTER, or oonYnon, IOWA, nssrenon T DEERE 6: COMPANY, or

MOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS.

CHECK-HEAD FOR PLANTERS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentd Sept, 13

Application filed July 18, 1917,Seria1 No. 181,384. Renewed December 3, 1920. Serial No. 428,151.

To all 'MZ om it may concern lie it known that T, liiimr .lyl. Bax'rnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at (Forydo-n, in the cminty of ayne and State oi Iowa, have inveutml certain new and useful Tinprovcments in a ChecleHead for Planters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to check row corn planters, and has for an object to improve the check headin a manner to permit the check wircto be more quickly and conveniently threaded thereinto, thereby providin what may be termed a sellithreading check head.

In addition to the foregoing my invention comprehends improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts to be hereinafter more fully doscrihed and particularly set forthinthe appended claims.

In the ac( :om1 )anyin;r drawings in which similar and corresponding parts are designated by the same characters of reference throughout the several views inwhich they appear; 1 a

Figure 1. is a viewin side elevation of the right hand clicekheadof a check row corn planter illustrating the embodiment therein of my invention. a

Fig. 2,,is a view of the check head in end elevation, i i

Fig. 3, is a View thereof in plan.

W'ith reference to the drawings, 10 indicates a pair of parallel spaced bars which extcml transversely ofthe corn planter and whir support the seed boxes andthe check head indicatedas an entii'etyat 11. i The check head comprises a a frame casting formed with upwardly diverging curved arms 12. connected at their lower end by means of a connecting strip13 which is enlarged as at 14 to provide a journal for the seed dropper shaft 15. The shaft is dismachine, parallel to the bar 10. and has fixedly mounted thereon an upwardly extending arm 16 which is hifurcat .l at its upper end to receive a fork 17 which i s mounted upon a. bolt 18 extended across the bifurcated portion; of the said arm whereby to. permit oscillatory movement of said fork in aplane which is parallel to and intersects the seed dropping shaft. As will. be seen the fork may be dis posed in a horizontal position when inoperas tive and in a vertical position when operative.

The upper terminals oi. the arms 12 of the check head casting are formed with concaved extensions 19 which are located so as to direct their coneavcd portion outwardly to receive and g'i'lide the check wire. A pulley 20 mounted adjacent each of said concaved extensions to coact with said exten sion in such a manner as to retain the check wire therein in the usual manner. The pulleys 20 are mounted upon a. casting 21 in the nature of a yoke upon the terminals of which the pulleys are mounted, and which. yoke is provided with a pair of trunnions extending in opposite directions to fit in apertured cars 23 formed upon'the upper terminals oi the arms 12 ot the cheek head casting. Thus, the pulley holder is mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane from a position wherein the pulleys are located as described or for rotation in a horizontal plane, to a position wherein the pulleys are inverted from their former positions'. The object of mounting" the pulleys for movement in this manner is to open the concaved extensions 19 that the check wire may he inserted therein, the pulleys being sul'isequently moved to a position to inclose the wire in said. concaved extension and to securely retain the wire against dis placement. To retain. the pulley holder in its first mentioned position a latch 24: is pro vided. pivotally mounted as at 25 upon a gear 26 formed upon the check head casting for ei igagring the ii'itermediate portion of the pulley holder. the latch being held in such position by means of a spring 27 which is interposed between an extension 28 of the latch and the check head casting. The latch may be readily disengaged by means 01": a rod 29 which extends from said latch to apoint adjacent the drivers seat. a a

In order to guide and support that part of the wire which is adjacent the planter while it is bcinp; moved (bodily, laterally; under tension) from or toward the machine I provide a guide extending laterally outward from the check head or frame. This ,g uidingi and supporting device comprises av lower clement, indicated as an entirety by 31., and an upper element- 30. The upper element. comprises a bar 34L extending from transverm: Vertical planes in. front oil to transverse vertical planes in rear of those of the fork. It is stationary relatively to the frame, to which it is secured rigidly by attaching devices, such as arms (integral with the part 34 at the bends 32). with downwardly turned legs fastened to the check head. The front and rear bars. or attaching parts 35, are'bent as at 37 so as to providei'nclined parts 35 which are extenddevices at 41.

verse vertical planes of the fork and is stationary relatively to the frame. It is attached thereto by arms 40 (integral with bar 39) terminating in vertical legs which are secured to the check head or frame by the The arms 40 are, at e12. bent so that their outer parts 4:0 eXt-endydownward; outward and longitudinally of the machine. there being bends at 38 at the ends 7 of the bar 39. The inner parts 40* of the lower element are positioned horizontally.

The bends at 3'7 and42 are in approximately the same vertical longitudinal planes.

The outer parts of. the lower member and of the upper member .of the guide 'and support device diverge outward from the vertical plane of the bends and also diverge inward, when observed on horizontal lines longitudinal of the machine. The bars and 39 are both approximately parallel to said longitudinal lines but the bar 3% is positioned, laterally, away'from the frame con siderably farther than is the lower bar 39. A passageway for a relatively long section of the wire is thus provided through which it canbe moved bodily laterally in either direction, its passage having an inwardly narrowing entrance way (between the outer parts of the guide elements). extending to the bends 37, 42 and an inwardly widening partextending from the throat of the bends toward the frame. 'The fork 17 is formed of a pair of spaced parallel bars 43 which are bent away from each other to form the arms 43 and i3, and it will be seen from Fig. 2 that when the fork is disposed in a horizontal or inoperative position. the diverging portions of said fork lie substantially par-. allel to the diverging outer ends of the guides 30 and 31, so that any object such as a wire which is caused to enter laterally between the guide elements 30 and 31 will also be compelled to pass between the diverging ends of said members L3 of the fork so as to enter said fork.

When using a planter having my improvements the dropping of the wire at the end of a row is accomplished quickly and in substantially the same way that is now followed in using standard machines provided with check heads. such as are herein shown. Thatis to say, the operator by means of the usual cord and while in his seat. opens the catch Ql and releases the swinging parts of the wire holding system. the rollers :20 and their carrier 21. Under the tension of the wire these swinging parts are carried from the positions shown in Figs. l and 3 to that shown in Fig. 2. the fork 17 also being carried downward and outward by the downward and laterally moving. tcnsioned wire. The wire after escaping from the pulleys :20 impinges on the lower element of the guide and holder and is shed from the inclined outer part'and from its seatin the fork. over the bar 39, to the ground.

After the operator has turned the machine and is ready for the return traverse across the field it is then necessary to move the check wire and its ground stake from its old location to the. new location and to rcstore the wire to its normal working position in the holder provided for it by the parts on the check head or frame.

\Vith my mechanism it is not necessary for the operator to approach the check head to place the wire in operative position or is it necessary for him to resume his seat and then by foot operated or manual devices place the wire in position. All that is required is that after pulling the check wire stake from its old location in the ground the operator. as he moves the check wire and the stake toward the new location at which the stake is to be reset (which is directly in the rear of the middle of the planter). should hold the check wire in such position that it will enter the passageway formed between the uppe and lower guides 30 and 3 respectively, as he passes back of the check head. Then as the point is reached where the stake is to be reset the operator with the exertion of a quick longitudinal pull on the check wirc gives itthe proper tension preliminary to setting the ground stake. The longitudinal pull causes the. wire to complete its travel inwardly through the guiding means 30 and 31, and the wire in its inward movement carries with it the check fork 17 and the pulleys .20, they, as shown. lying in the path that the wire is constrained to follow.

When the check wire moves inwardly in response to the tcnsiouing impulse above described it follows the parts -35" and 35" of the upper guide (in some cases resting more or less on the support parts i and id). The check fork 17 is caused to swing upward around its pivot under the inward lateral pressure of the wire and the carrier bar 21 is also caused to rock upwardly owing to its engagement with the arm 412-3" of the fork. or if preferred, the parts can be arranged for llll the cheek wire to impinge upon the pulleys 20 or the carrier bar 21 and rock them into closed position. The quick inward lateral pressure of the wire due to the longitudinal pull acts upon" the fork 17 and the pulleys 20 (upon the latter through the pulley bar 21) to snap them into the position shown. in Figs. 1 and 3 where they are locked by the catch 24 engaging the bar under the action of spring 27.

All of these matters have been accomplished without any movements of the guide elements 30, 31. reh'itively to the frame, both the lower and the upper element ren'iaining fixed in position. The wire through the force of tension exerted upon it has causelfl all of the movements of the parts from the positions of wire discharge to their normal working positions, and has caused an automatic locking of these parts in the latter po sitions.

If at any tune it is desired to use the planter with the ordniary parts, the bolts or fasteners 36 and 41 which attach the check wire holder and guide can be readily removed and the guide taken off, the remaining parts then constituting a complete operative holder and guide of the standard sort. a To persons acquainted with the use and operation. of checkrow corn planters, the saving of time and labor may be effected by the use of this improvement, will be immediately apparent.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described my invention with some degree of particularity, I realize that in practice various alterations thereover may be made. and I therefore desire to reserve the right and privilege of changing the form of the'details of construction, and of altering the arrimgement of the correlative parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isr- 1. In a )lanter, the combination with the check heacl frame, a seeder actuating device, a fork foroperating said device movable from its normal working position to a wiredischarging position, and means supplemental to the fork for normally holding a check wire in its working po sition, of a support rigid with and extending laterally from the frame to support a section of the check wire while it moving bodily laterally from or toward said normal working position, said support being positioned normally belowthe passageway through which the wire passes when moving laterally as aforesaid, and said support extending longitudinally of the machine continuously from a point in front of the fork to a point in the rear thereof, and

to a normal wire-holding means for limiting the upward movement of the check wire away from said support when the wire is so movlng.

2. In a planter, the combination with the check head frame, a seeder actuating device, a fork for operating said device movable from its normal working position to a wire discharging position and means supple mental to the fork for normally holding a check wire in its working position, of a. wire guide rigid with and exteiuling laterally from the frame to limit the upward rise of a section of the check wire while it is moving bodily laterally from or toward said normal worl'rimr position, said guide being positioned, in lines'above the path normally followed. by said wire section and extendin longitudinally of the machine continuously from a point in front of the fork to a point in rear thereof and arranged to guide said section into the fork when the latter is in its wire-discharging position;

In a planter, the combination with the check head frame, the seeder actuating device, the fork for operating said device and movable from a normal working position to a wire-discharging position, and movable means supplemental to the fork for holding the check wire in normal working. position, of a laterally projectii'ig guide held stationary relatively to the frame and having an upper element and a lower element both extending longitudinally from points in front to points in rear of the fork and respectively positioned as described relatively to the working positions of the wire and of the fork as set forth whereby said guide causes a section of the wire while moving laterally inward toward its working positionand and er longitudinal tension exerted at a distant point at an angle to the longitru'linal lines of the machine, to enter the fork when the latter is in its wire-discharging position and to move the fork toward its working position.

a 4. In a planter, the combination with the check head frame, the seeder actuating device, the fork for operating said device and movable from a. wire-discharging position 7 position, wireholding devices supplemental to the fork and movable from a wire-discharging position to a normal working position, and an automatically acting lock for the supplemental wire-holder, of a laterally projecting guide held stationary relatively to the frame and having its parts positioned substantially as described, relatively to the working positions of the fork and of. the wire, to cause a section of the wire, while moving laterally -inward under longitudinal tension exerted at a distant point, to enter the fork when the latter is in its wire-discharging position toward its working the wire, While so movlng carrying and then move the fork position,

'working positions of the wire and of in a planter, the combination with the cheek head frame, the seederactuating device, the fork for operating said device and movable from a normal vorking position to a wire-discharging position, and movable means supplemental to the fork for holding the check wire in normal working' position,

a laterally projecting guide held stationary relatively to the frame and having an upper element and lower element both ex tending longitudinally from points in front to points in rear of the fork and respectively positioned described relatively to the f the fork as set forth whereby said guide causes a section of the wire while moving laterally inward toward its working position and under longitudinal tension exerted at a distant point at an angle to the longitudinal lines of the machine, to enter the fork when the latter is in its vire-discharging position and to move the fork toward its working position and cause the latter while so moving to also move said supplemental wire holder bodily into its working position.

In a planter, the combination with the check head frame, the seeder actuating device, the fork for operating said device and movable from a wire-discharging position to a normal wire-holding position.- vire-.

holding devices supplemental to the fork and movable from a wire-discharging position to a normal working position, and an automatically acting lock for the supplemental wire-holder, of a laterally projecting guide held stationary relatively to the frame and having its parts positioned substantially as described, relatively to the working positious of the fork and of the wire, to cause a section of the wire, while moving laterally inward under longitudinal tension eiterted at a distant point, to enter the fork when the latter is in its wire-discharging; position and then more the fork toward its working position and'cause it while so moving to carry the supplemental wire holder bodily into its working position and also a rtuate the lock for said holder.

7. In a planter, the combination with a check head frame, aseeder actuating device, a fork for operating said device and movable from a normal working position to a wiredisc-harging' position, and movable means supplemental. to the fork for normally holding the check wire in working positioruof a check wire guide extending laterally from the frame. and comp 'isingr an upper element and a, -lower' element both stationary rela tively to the frame and extending frompoints in front to points in rear of the fork and arranged to provide between them a passageway permitting aseetion of check wire to move bodily laterally therethrou'gh and to guide said wire section laterally into the fork when the latter is in discharging position and also e uide the wire while moving the fork to normal workin position, the entrance into the fork through which the wire passes being arranged to iutcrscaet the aforesaid. passage 'ay.

8. In. a planter. the combination with the check head frame. a seeder actuating device. and a fork for operating said device movable from an approximately vcrti -al working po' sition to an pproxinuilely horizontal wiredischarg ginc' position. of a guide having; a laterally (llSpOSfil passageway, said guide comprising; two ole nents both stationary relatively to the frame, one above and the other below the said passageway for the wire, the lower element having a downwardly turned outer evtremity and the upper element hav' ing an upwardly turned outer extremity, am. the two elements being: arranged as described whereby said passa 'eway has an outer part which widens vci tically outward and an inner part which widens vertically inward. and said fork when in its dischargiine' position having its entrance in the vertically narrowed part of said passageway.

S). In a, planter. the combination with the check head frame. the seeder actuating (lovice. the fork for operating): said device movable from its normal working: position to a wire-dischargingr position. of :i check wire a'uide statii'mary rel ativcly to the said frame and comprising: an upper element and a lower element with a horizontally disposed passagremi between them and :I]lfl]lf!f( l as described. relatively to the fork when in its dischargin position to have an arm of the fork adjacent to its wire entrance positioned across the said passage. the fork being; adapted to swine with, the wire relatively to both elements of the stationary guide.

10. In a. planter. the comhinatimi with the check head frame. the seeder a tuating: device. the fork for operating: said device. the pulley holder mounted on the frame. and an automatically acting lock for said holder. of the laterally projecting guid having: an upper element and a lower element both rigidly secured to the frame and extending continuously from points in front to points in rear of the fork and arranged to proviue a passageway for a section of the wire to move laterally between said elements and adapted to guide the wire into the fork when in its discharcingposition and to also guide it while it is swineinei the fork and the pulley holder to their normal position.

1l.ln a planter. the combination with the check head frame. the seed r actuating! device. the fork for operating; id device. the pulley holder mounted on the frame. and an automatically acting lock for said holder, of the laterally proicctino guide hav im; an upper element and a lower element ary guide elements when it is in said wire (ill tending continuously from points in frontto points in rear of the fork and arranged. to provide a passageway for a section of the wire to move laterally between said elements and adapted to guide the wire into the fork when in its discharging position and to also guide itwhile it is swinging the fork and while the fork is moving the pulley holder to its normal position. V

12. In a planter, the combination with the check head frame and the seeder actuating device," of a check wire guide which is stationary relatively to the frame and has a passageway adapted to permit a section of wire to he moved bodily laterally there through to its normal working position, said guide having two elements, one positioned above and the otherpositioned below t 1e said passageway, and a fork for operating the seed actuating device positioned be tween the front and rear ends of the stationary guide, and movable from a vertical position at the inner end of the said passage way to a wire-discharging position, said fork having a wire-engaging part situated across sa1d passageway between the stationdischarging position.

13. In a planter, the combination with the frame check head and the seeder-actuating device, of the laterally projecting wire guide, with a passageway through which a section of wire can be moved bodily laterally, said guide having a relatively short lower element below said passageway, and a relatively longer element above said pas sageway, both of which elements are rigid with the frame and are shaped to provide a vertically flaring entrance to said passageway, and a fork for operating the seed actuating device positioned at the inner end of said passageway and between the front and rear ends of the guide, said fork being niovable to a wire receiving position where its end lies between the said stationary guide elements.

14. In a planter, the combination with the cheek head frame, and the seeder actuating device of a laterally projecting wire guide, having a fixed passageway adapted to, permit a section of wire to move bodily laterally therethrough, said guide comprising two elements fixed in position relatively to the fame, one element being below said passageway and the other element being above it and extending farther from the frame than the lower element, the outer extremities of said guide elements being in clined oppositely to provide a vertically fiaring entrance to said passageway and the extremity of the upper element being adapted to be initially impinged on by a rising wire, and a fork positioned at the inner end of said passageway and between the front and rear ends of the said fixed guide elements and adapted to move to a wire-remziving position where its wire-receiving: end is near the inner end of the flaring mouth of t ,id passageway. a

15. In a checkhead for corn planters, the combinationof a frame, a pulley holder pivotally mounted thereon, a seed dropper shu ft, a fork pivotally mounted thereon, and a pair of vertically spaced guides mounted on the frame comprising Ushaped men'ibcrs having their terminals secured to the frantic and their other portions disposed snbstantially horizontal to direct the check wire into the fork.

1.0. In a check head for corn planters, the cmnbination of a frmne, a pair of concaved wire guides mounted thereon, a pulley holder piwitally mounted on the frame, a swing catch for engaging the pulley holder to retain the same in an operative position, a seed dropper shaft, a fork pivotally mounted on the shaft, and a self tlinj'eading means conuirising a pair ofvertically spaced guides, each in the form of a bar bent to substantially U-shaped formation with their torn'iinals secured to the frame and their reniainii'ur portions disposed substantially horizontal and their outer ends diverging whereby to guide the check wire into the fork, and whereby the fork and pulley holder may be ele' ated when the wire is moved into engagement with the concaved wire guides.

1.7, In a planter, the combination with the check head frame, the seeder actuating device, the fork for oi ierating said device and movable from a normal working posi tion to a wiredischarging position, and movable n'ieaus supplemental to the fork for holding the check wire in normal working position, of a laterally projecting guide held stationary relatively to the frame and having an upper element and a lower element both extending longitudinally from points in front to points in rear of the fork and respectively positioned as described relatii 'ely to the work'v and of the fork as set forth whereby said guide causes a section of the wire while movi ng laterally inward toward its working}; sition and under longitudinal. tension exerted at a distant point at an angle to the longitudinal lines of the machine, to enter the fork when the latter is in its wire-discharging position and to move. the fork toard its working position and means for locking 7 said fork and said supplemental wire holder in their ope fative position.

In testimony whereof I a'llix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PHILIP H. BAXTEl t.

lVitnesses:

K. E. SALLMAN, J. M. Srnoarsrnn.

1g positions of the wire 

